Oppositional Defiant Disorder, or ODD, is a behavior disorder.
It affects children and adolescents.
What causes it?
The cause is unknown. There could be different reasons:
May be inherited (passed from mother or father to child).
May be due to problems in the brain.
How a family reacts to child's behavior and how a child is disciplined.
Who can get it?
It is a disorder of childhood and adolescence.
Symptoms usually show up by age 8.
It may be more common in children with parents who have marital (marriage)
problems.
May be more common in children who also have attention disorders, such as
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).
What are the signs and symptoms? Diagnosis depends on symptoms lasting for at least six months. Symptoms
must happen more often than is normal for the age group and interfere with learning,
school, or relationships with others. Behavior usually begins at home and then
starts to show up in other places, such as school. Symptoms can include:
Negative attitude, stubborn.
Won't follow rules or do as asked.
Argues with adults.
Does not seriously hurt others but is unkind to them.
Loses his temper easily.
Annoys other people on purpose.
Gets angry easily.
Argues with friends, classmates, and teachers.
Swears.
Thinks badly of himself.
Moody.
May have difficulties learning or talking about how he feels.
Easily frustrated.
Blames others.
May abuse drugs.
Child may be thought of as a bully.
How is it treated?
Children with symptoms should see a doctor.
The doctor will want to know the child's history of behavior and may want
to take tests.
Treatment often involves group, individual, and/or family therapy.
In therapy, the child and family will talk about their feelings and plan
for ways to help the child.
The child is taught ways to deal with his anger, how to talk to others,
and how to deal with problems.
The family is taught how to help and support the child.
Medication is sometimes used in children who have disorders in addition
to ODD.
If the child becomes dangerous to himself or others, he may need to go to
the hospital.
What can I do?
Treatment often involves group, individual, and/or family therapy.
Talk to family, friends, and teachers about how they can help.
Talk often about new problems or ways to help.
Keeping your child's daily schedule the same will help him control his behavior.
Be consistent with rules and discipline.
Set limits for him.
Plan what to do when your child misbehaves. Stay calm and follow the plan.
Use time-outs with your child when he misbehaves. Separate him from the
activity or group until he calms down.
Praise your child and reward him when he does well.
Teach your child how to get along with others.
Help your child avoid stressful situations.
Make sure your child takes his medication as prescribed.
Encourage your child to play and get exercise.
Set a regular bedtime to help your child sleep. If he is having trouble
sleeping, talk to the doctor.
Talk to the doctor if your child sleeps too much.
What can my child do?
Give himself time-outs when he feels angry. Have him sit away from the group
and calm down.
Learn about what makes him angry and worried. Avoid those situations, activities,
and people.
Talk about feelings instead of acting out.
Switch activities if he starts to get upset. Switching to a calmer, quieter
activity (such as a board game) is often helpful.
Get his energy out (running laps, basketball, etc.).
Practice talking about problems.
Learn to admit mistakes without being hard on himself.
How long does it last?
Children who receive treatment often learn how to deal with their anger
in effective ways.
Different children will learn at different paces.
When should I call the doctor?
Call immediately if your child says he might hurt himself or others.
Call immediately if you fear you're going to lose control and might hurt
your child.
Talk to your doctor if your child has symptoms of ODD.
Talk to your doctor for more information on ODD.
Talk to the doctor if your child has trouble sleeping or sleeps too much.
Quick Answers
Oppositional Defiant Disorder, or ODD, is a behavior disorder.
It may be caused by the way the brain and body work, or by the way the child
is disciplined.
It affects children and adolescents.
Symptoms include a negative attitude, the child won't follow rules or do
as asked, or the child often argues with adults, friends, classmates, or teachers.
Treatment often involves group, individual, and/or family therapy.
Plan what to do when your child misbehaves. Stay calm and follow the plan.
Teach your child how to avoid problems and how to deal with situations,
activities, and people that make him angry.
Different children will learn how to deal with their problems at different
paces.
Call the doctor immediately if your child says he might hurt himself or
hurt others or if you think you might hurt your child.
References
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Oppositional Defiant Disorder. (cited
2002 February 4). URL: http://www.chop.edu/consumer/your_child/condition_section_index.jsp?id=-9380
Health Square. Oppositional Defiant Disorder. (cited 2002 February 4). URL:
http://www.healthsquare.com/mc/fgmc2411.htm
New York Presbyterian Hospital. Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Columbia
Weill Cornell Psychiatry. 1996 (cited 2002 February 4). URL: http://204.29.171.80/framer/navigation.asp?charset=utf-8&cc=US&frameid=1565&lc=en-us&providerid=113&realname=New+York+Presbyterian+Hospital&uid=1757403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nyp.org
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